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'PARAMOUNT ROCKS' TO SHOWCASE TOP MUSICAL ACTS IN UNIQUE VENUE AND NEW FORMAT SUGAR RAY, SMASHMOUTH, CAMP FREDDY, DAVE NAVARRO AND DJ SKRIBBLE KICK OFF INAUGURAL CONCERT SERIES ON SEPTEMBER 27TH AND 28TH

Last update: 7:10 p.m. EDT Sept. 15, 2008

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept 15, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Paramount today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind concert series on the studio's Hollywood backlot. Paramount Rocks is the first movie studio-based concert series to showcase artists in a unique venue and format, blending the versatile backdrop of the studio's historic New York Street, with a block party atmosphere. The announcement was made by Randall Baumberger, President, Paramount Studio Group. Paramount is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B)."We recently hosted one of the year's biggest musical events on our lot with MTV's Video Music Awards," said Baumberger. "The Paramount Rocks concert series launches in the spirit of that iconic production, showcasing artists in the same location where the Jonas Brothers and Pink filmed their exciting performances."As Los Angeles' latest concert venue, Paramount Rocks will feature artists from all genres -- from rock to jazz -- and accommodate up to 3,000 concertgoers. Audiences will experience an evening of live music, food, beverages, and vendor booths in real outdoor movie sets depicting New York City's Soho, Greenwich Village, and Washington Square neighborhoods.The inaugural Paramount Rocks concert will be held on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28. The lineup is as follows:

"Paramount Rocks offers artists, vendors and fans access to an intimate entertainment experience mixed with a bit of Hollywood magic, fun and excitement," added Baumberger.Paramount Rocks is a live concert series produced and promoted by Paramount Pictures' events division, Paramount Special Events. Paramount Special Events specializes in one-of-a-kind events of all sizes: from corporate galas to entertainment industry extravaganzas to private parties. For more information about Paramount Rocks please visit http://www.paramountrocks.com or call 323-956-ROCK.

There's nothing more "L.A." than hanging out at a movie studio. However, no matter how you splice it, it's pretty cool kickin' it on the lot. Where else in the world but Los Angeles is that possible? A lot of legendary things have happened on Paramount's storied backlot. It's where classic films like Sunset Boulevard were filmed. Some of the most important people in film history have graced those facade-lined streets. Now, some of the most badass rockers in history have christened those same roads with an almighty gospel of riffs choruses.

As headliners for the very first Paramount Rocks! show, Camp Freddy turned the New York set of Paramount's back lot into their playground. Right as they took the stage under a Paramount Rocks! backdrop, singer Donovan Leitch proclaimed, "Tonight we're going to rock for Paul Newman because I'm certain he shot on this back lot." They did Mr. Cool Hand Luke justice with a rollicking set of rock n' roll favorites. Camp Freddy's one of the last remaining real rock n' roll bands. Given their respective resumes, the members of Camp Freddy don't have to play in this band, but they do it for fun. Isn't that the only good reason to rock?

As with every Camp Freddy show, there was a bevy of surprise guests. Ministry and Prong axe-man Tommy Victor did a spot-on rendition of the AC/DC classic "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," while Dave Navarro churned out a blues-infused lead. Meanwhile, The Cult's Billy Duffy traded Angus Young's unforgettable riffs back and forth with Victor. Next up, Camp Freddy riffmeister Billy Morrison took the mic for a raw and raucous rendition of Oasis's "Rock N' Roll Star." Looking like a young and healthy Sid Vicious, Morrison took over, nailing the song's huge chorus with an unmatched bravado.

Residency host Mark McGrath took the stage next, clad in a black leather vest and sporting a goatee. He nailed Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak" and The Cult's "Wild Flower." McGrath's a born frontman, and his swagger and style always prevail. He rocked with the mic in his pants. Drummer Matt Sorum bashed out the song's massive beat, twirling drum sticks with panache, pointing his sticks up to the cloudy night sky over the lot. Sex Pistols Steve Jones and Paul Cook took the stage for a fast and furious rendition of "E.M.I.," and it kept things rolling.

Navarro's playing proved as transcendent as ever. Even with his guitar god status, the guy is still hilarious. Before one song, he quipped, "We're all going to be extras in the new Transformers 2, running down the street. We're going to have to stay until about 6 or 7am, so get comfortable." He also mentioned submitting a script too. Comedy aside, his axe prowess shined. Cypress Hill's B-Real hit the stage for "Rock Superstar," and Navarro transformed the song with an intense solo and crunching riffs. B-Real sounded as fiery as ever. His signature flow sharply snaked across Navarro's lead, and the two could very well form a super group of their own. B killed it, and was one of the night's best guests. Navarro still managed to keep up the energy, even after an opening set with DJ Skribble. He traded riffs with Skribble's grooves, and the two worked out new live interpretations of everything from Jay-Z's "My Name Is H.O.V." and Biggie's "Hypnotize" to "Another Brick In the Wall" and "We Will Rock You."

Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister came out for a badass "God Save the Queen." He brought a true grit and grunge that no one can emulate, and he simply captivated. The band closed with their usual, "I Wanna Be Your Dog," and the back lot will never be the same. When Navarro announced, "Yeah, bitches, you're in my house now," you couldn't help but believe him.